A new study suggests that chronic insomnia may increase the risk of dementia in older adults by up to 40%, equivalent to 3.5 years of additional brain aging.
Chronic insomnia not only disrupts nighttime sleep but can also jeopardize brain health. Researchers in a recent study found that older adults with insomnia experience a faster decline in memory and thinking skills.
According to a report by zharfa News agency, citing MedicineNet, the study involved 2,750 older adults with an average age of 70 and good brain health. It revealed that 16% of participants suffered from chronic insomnia, defined as difficulty falling asleep at least three days a week for three months or longer.
The study’s findings indicate that 14% of individuals with insomnia, compared to 10% of those with healthy sleep, developed mild cognitive impairment or dementia. These individuals were 40% more likely to develop dementia.
Dr. Diego Carvalho, a sleep medicine specialist at the Mayo Clinic, stated, “Insomnia doesn’t just affect how you feel during the day; it can also be a warning sign of future cognitive issues.”
He added, “Brain changes and a decline in cognitive skills were evident in individuals with insomnia.”
Over five years, researchers evaluated participants through annual memory and thinking tests and brain scans. These scans revealed brain tissue damage and the accumulation of toxic amyloid-beta plaques, a hallmark of dementia.
Individuals who slept less than average scored lower on cognitive tests. Additionally, the presence of amyloid plaques in their brains was comparable to the risk seen in individuals with genetic predispositions to Alzheimer’s disease.
Those with insomnia who carried the APOE4 gene (linked to Alzheimer’s) showed a more significant decline in cognitive skills. Carvalho emphasized, “Insomnia can impact amyloid plaques and the brain’s blood vessels.”
The study suggests that treating insomnia not only improves sleep quality but may also protect brain health against aging. Carvalho noted, “Good sleep promotes brain resilience.”
However, researchers cautioned that the study only demonstrates an association between insomnia and dementia, not a causal relationship. They stressed the need for further research to better understand this connection.
